Ageratum plant named ‘Agmontis’

ABSTRACT

A new  Ageratum  plant particularly distinguished by its purple flower, early flowering, strongly branched plant habit and good growth.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Ageratumhoustonianum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Agmontis’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Ageratum,botanically known as Ageratum houstonianum. The new cultivar ispropagated by cuttings resulting from the cross of ‘S509-2’ and pollenfrom a population of S-labeled plants ‘S509-2’ is a violet floweringAgeratum having a compact habit. ‘S509-2’ is not commercially availableand is not known by any synonyms.

‘S509-2’ has not been patented. As a result of this cross the presentcultivar was created in 1998 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has beenrepeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands,in Gilroy, Calif., United States, in Angers, France and in Sarrians,France over a three-year period. The distinctive characteristics of thisnew Ageratum are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. It takes 8 to 10 weeks to produce afinished plant, depending on the temperature.

This new Ageratum plant is an annual in most climatical zones in theUnited States, only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Ageratum plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Ageratum plant. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 30 weeks oldplants, blossomed under natural light and artificial light in agreenhouse. Color readings were taken in a laboratory under ambientlight. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

TABLE 1 Comparison between the new cultivar ‘Agmontis’, its parent and asimilar cultivar ‘Agmontis’ ‘S509-2’ ‘R116’ (unpatented) Flower colorPurple Violet Violet Size of capitulum 4-8 mm 4-8 mm 7-9 mm Plant height20-25 cm 20-25 cm 20-25 cm Diameter of plant 35-40 cm 30-35 cm 15-20 cm

The plant:

Classification — Botanical.—Ageratum houstonianum.

Parentage:

Female parent.—A seedling named ‘S509-2’ is one of our seedlings fromour S-generation of plants bred in 1987.

Pollen parent.—A population of S-labeled plants.

Plant description:

Growth habit.—Ascending, well branched.

Plant height.—20-25 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—35-40 cm.

Growth rate.—Compact.

Strength.—Very good.

Branching character.—Freely branching and lateral branching at everynode.

Blooming period.—Year round.

The stem:

Stem length.—3-10 cm.

Diameter.—1-2 mm.

Shape.—Round.

Color.—RHS 145A.

Anthocyan pigmentation.—Absent.

Length of internode.—10-20 mm, depending on the light where the plant ispropagated.

Pubescence.—Slightly pubescent.

The foliage:

Phyllotaxis.—Opposite, decussate.

Shape of blade.—Ovate.

Texture.—Upper side: Slightly pubescent. Lower side: Slightly pubescent.

Venation.—Reticulate.

Leaf margin.—Serrate.

Leaf base.—Cordate.

Leaf apex.—Acute.

Length.—18-25 mm.

Width.—15-25 mm.

Color.—Upper side: Dark green 137B. Lower side: Medium green 138B.

Pubescence.—Some pubescence is present.

Length of petiole.—3-6 mm.

Diameter of petiole.—1-3 mm.

Color of petiole.—Light green 145A.

Petiole surface texture.—Slightly pubescent.

Inflorescence:

Inflorescence.—Compound umbel of capitula.

Number of inflorescence per plant.—50-70.

Umbel diameter.—3.5-5.5 cm.

Umbel depth.—1.5-3 cm.

Length of peduncle.—10-20 mm.

Diameter of peduncle.—1-2 mm.

Color of peduncle.—RHS 141C.

Length of pedicel.—4-15 mm.

Diameter of pedicel.—1-2 mm.

Color of pedicel.—RHS 141C.

Number of capitula per inflorescence.—5-8.

Number of disc florets per capitulum.—50-85.

Capitulum in bud stage.—Round, flat capitulum, showing unopened floretsfrom the start.

Number of ray florets.—0.

Shape of the corolla of the disc floret.—Actinomorph.

Number of lobes.—5.

Length of disc floret.—3-4 mm.

Diameter of disc floret.—2 mm.

Color of disc floret upper side.—RHS 071 A.

Color of disc floret lower side.—RHS 157 A.

Number of phyllaries per capitulum.—15-20.

Length of phyllaries.—2-3 mm.

Diameter of phyllaries.—1-2 mm.

Color of phyllaries upperside.—RHS 137 B with tip RHS 077A. Lowerside:RHS 137 C with tip RHS 077A.

Diameter of capitulum at beginning of flowering.—4-5 mm.

Depth of capitulum.—2-4 mm.

Color of capitulum at beginning of flowering.—RHS N71A.

Diameter of capitulum at full flowering.—4-5 mm.

Color of capitulum at full flowering.—RHS 059A.

Reproductive organs:

Gynoecium:

Number of pistils.—1.

Shape of pistils.—Style with two filiform branches.

Length of stigma and style.—4-6 mm.

Color of stigma.—RHS 059A.

Inferior ovary.—5 ribbed.

Pappus.—Short.

Androecium:

Number of anthers.—5, connate in a tube, filaments free.

Shape of anthers.—Ecalcarate.

Pollen.—A little pollen is present.

Color of pollen.—RHS N155 A.

Fragrance.—No fragrance.

Lastingness of the bloom.—The capitula of one umbel open over a periodof 3-4 weeks. It takes 3-4 weeks until all disc florets of one umbel areopened.

Seedset.—‘Agmontis’ has seedset.

Seed:

Shape.—Pentagonal.

Length.—2 mm.

Diameter.—0.8 mm.

Color.—RHS 202A.

Pappus.—Very short.

Roots:

Type of roots.—Fibrous. Roots start to grow on every part of the stemthat contacts the soil, so not only at the nodes.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: Good tolerance to heat andcold, but no frost tolerance. Strong resistance to pests and diseases.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ageratum plant,substantially as illustrated and described herein.